Safety device for cleaning plants or the like



Sefit. 24, 1929. H. SCHLESINGER 1,729,493

SAFETY DEVICE FOR CLEANING PLANTS OR THE LIKE '1 Filed Aug. s1 192s Patented Sept. 24, 1929 lJlTEl) STATES PATENT FFHCE- HARRY SQI-ILESINGER, GI DES MOINES, IOW'A, ASSIGNOB T SCHLESCO-SHUBE MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, OE DES MOINES, IGW'A, A CGEPOEATION 0F IOWA SAFETY DEVICE FOR CLEANING PLANTS OR THE LIKE Application filed August 31, 1925.

The object of my invention is to provide a safety device for dry cleaning plants or the like adapted to be automatically operated when a or explosion takes place for permitting live steam to be injected in and around machines or the like, likely to be de stroyed by fire.

Still a further object is to provide a trip hammer mechanism designed to be simultaneously operated with the discharge of the live steam for striking a closure member, and moving it to position where it will become closed.

Still a further object is to provide a fusible link member adapted to hold th trip hammer in inoperative position, and to hold a valve closure in closed position.

Still a further object is to provide a clean out valve arranged adjacent the valve closure, whereupon any water and sediment accumulating in and around the valve closure may be easily blown out so as to insure at all times, the proper functioning of the valve closure upon the destruction of thefusible element.

lVith these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangen'icnt and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved safety device.

Figure 2 is a view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing the parts installed in an ordinary 'washing machine or tumbler used in dry cleaning establishments, parts being shown in section to better illustrate the constrnction.

Figure 3 is a detail, sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2 showing the bracket for supporting the trip hammer mechanism.

F igure l is a detail, sectional view taken on the line 4e4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a detail, sectional view taken on line 55 of Figure 2; and

Figure 6 is a side elevation of a slightly modified form of safety device, wherein the trip hammer mechanism is omitted.

Serial No. 53,600.

In the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate generally a washing machine or tumbler used in a dry cleaning plant, which has amovable door 11 hingcdly secured thereto.

A foraminous cylinder 12 is included within the washing machine 10, and is of the usual construction.

l-"ly improved safety device includes a bell d member 13 mounted within the washin machine 10 and having a screw threaded neck 1 L upon which is received a collar 15.

A washer 16 is aositioned between the washing machine 10 and the collar 15, whereupon tightening of the collar will cause the bell snaped member 13 to be securely held in the machine 10.

The collar 15 is provided with a number of openings 17 wherein a suitable tool may be inserted for rotating the collar.

Some of the openings 17 may be interiorly screw threaded for receiving a-scrcw threaded bracket, as will hereinafter be more fully set forth.

A set screw 18 extends into one of the openings 17 and coacts with the neck 14; 0f the bell member 13.

The neck 1 1 of the bell member 13 is interior y screw threaded, and has received therein a fitting 20. A valve seat 19 is formed. in the bell.

The valve seat 19 is closed by a valve closure 21 against which rests an adjusting screw 22.

The adjusting screw 22 is screwed through an arm 23 pivotally mounted at 2d, upon one side of the bell member 13.

The adjusting screw 22 may be suitably secured to the valve closure 21 for insuring the proper positioning of t 1e valve closure member 21.

The arm 23 is formed with a hook end 2%,

which coacts with a fusible link or element 25.

Secured to the fitting is a T fitting 26 having a steam pipe 27 in communication therewith.

A clean out valve or pet cock 28 is extended into the third opening of the T iitting 26, and has an L shaped tube 29 in communication therewith, which has its terminating end placed adjacent the valve closure 21 so that by openin the pet cock 28 any accumulated water or sediment in and around the closure member 21, may be blown out through the pet cock 28.

The removing of the water and sediment through the pet cock 28 will always insure proper functioning of the valve closure member 21, and will prevent itfrom sticking when the fusible link 25 is destroy-ed.

The closure valve 21 is held in closed position through the medium and mechanism that I will now describe in detail.

Mounted upon the pipe 27 is a spacing sleeve 30.

Mounted upon the pipe 27 above the spacing sleeve 30 is a short bracket 31 through which is extended a rod 32 threaded at its upper end, as at 33.

A second bracket 34 is mounted upon the pipe 27 below the spacing valve 30, which bracket is formed with a comparatively long arm or support 35.

A bell crank lever 36 is pivotally mounted upon the support 35 by the pivot 37.

A projecting lug 38 is fixed to the bell crank lever 36 by a rivet or the like 39.

The lug 38 is formed with an opening 40 through which is extended a link rod 41 having a hook 42 at its lower end, which coacts with the fusible link 25.

The upper end of the link rod 41 is threaded, as at 43, and has a screw threaded collar 44 arranged thereon above the projection 33, whereby the link rod 41 may be adjusted.

A set screw 45 extends into the collar 44 and coacts with the threads 43 on the link rod 41.

The lower end of the rod 32 is pivotally connected to one end of the bell c 'ank lever. 36 by means of a rivet or the like 46.

The upper free end of the bell crank lever 36 is formed with a U-shaped filler block 47, around which extends a rubber cover 48.

The filler 47 and the rubber cover 48 are both secured to the bell crank lever 36 by means of the rivets 49, as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 5 of the drawing.

The rubber cover 48 and the filler 47 form what may be called a trip hammer, which is designed to strike against the closure member 11 closing the washing machine 10, when the fusible link 25 is destroyed, as will hereinafter be more fully set forth.

Mounted upon the rod 32 above the bracket 31 is a coil spring 50 held in position by a wing nut 51 mounted upon the screw threaded end 33 of the rod 32.

A set screw 52 is placed in the wing nut 51 for locking the wing nut in any predetermined position.

The coil spring 50 tends to move the rod 32 upward toward the position shown in dotted hnes 1n Figure 2 of the drawings, which, of course, will take with it the bell crank lever 36 moving it to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 2.

In case 01' a fire or explosion, or from any other cause, the fusible link 25 becomes destroyed, then and in that event, the arm 23 will drop downward to the position shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, and the live steam within the pipe 27 will unseat the valve closure 21, permitting the steam to be discharged into the washing machine 10.

At the time the link 25 is broken, the coil spring 50, which is under tension, will be released for moving the bell crank lever 36 to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, at which time the trip hammer will strike against the door 11, moving it to position where gravity will then permit the door to go the rest of the way. 7

In Figure 6 of the drawings, 1 have shown a slightly modified form, wherein the. trip hammer mechanism is omitted and the link 25 used for releasing the arm 23, thereby permitting steam from the pipe 27 to be discharged.

In the form of device shown in Figure 6, I use an arm 53 which is formed with a screw threaded shank 54 arranged to extend into one of the screw threaded openings 17 formed in the collar 15.

The link 25 is connected to a short rod 55 extending through an opening formed in the arm 53.

The rod 55 has a collar 56 thereon having a set screw 57 therein similar to the collar and set screw 44 and 45, shown in Figure 2 ot the drawings.

The rod 55 is screw threaded for permitting adjustment of the parts.

The form of device shown in Figure 6 may be used in a washing machine similar to the device shown in Figure 2.

In this connection it may be mentioned here that where three or four devices are used in a washing machine, it is only necessary to adjust one trip hammer for moving the door 11 to closed position.

The device shown in Figure 6 may also be used in and around various machines likely to be destroyed by fire.

The washing machine 10 has a suitable opening arranged therein, throughwhich the link 25 extends, as clearly shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

My device is especially adapted for plants where explosive fluids are used and where steam will effectively extinguish any fires which may occur. I

The closing of the door 11 of the machine 10 and the injection of steam therein will immediately and without damage to the goods of the machine, destroy the fire therein.

Some changes may be made in the constructipn and arrangement of the various parts or my invention, without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and

it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device of the class described, in combination with a washing machine having a casing provided with a normally open door, a steam pipe in communication with the casing of said washing machine and terminating in a bell-shaped member having its flared end opening toward the inside of the machine, a valve seat within said bell-shaped member, a valve closure member coacting therewith, a lever pivotally supported on said bell-shaped member and having a projection for engaging the valve closure member, an arm pivotally supported on said steam pipe in position to close the door of said machine, means constraining said arm to swing toward the door and means comprising a fusible link connecting said lever and said arm for holding said arm in inoperative position.

2. A device of the class described, in combination with a washing machine having a casing and having a normally open door thereon, a steam pipe in communication with the casing of said washing machine and terminating in a bell-shaped member having its flared end opening toward the inside of the machine, a valve seat Within said bell-shaped member, a valve closure member coacting therewith, a lever pivotally supported on said bell shaped member and having a projection for engaging the valve closure member, an

arm pivotally supported in position to close said door, resilient means normally tending to force said arm in a direction for striking and closing the door of said machine, and means comprising a fusible link connecting said lever and said arm for holding said valve closure member against said valve seat and said arm in inoperative position.

3. In combination with a washing machine including a casing, a device of the class described comprising a steam pipe communicating with and connected to said casing, a valve at the point of connection and a lever for holding said valve closed, a normally open door on said casing, an arm pivotally supported in position to close the door, means for constraining said arm toward its door closing position and means comprising a fusible link connecting said lever and said arm whereby said valve is maintained closed and said arm is maintained inoperative except upon destruction of said link.

4:. In combination with a washing machine provided with a door, a lever pivoted on said washing machine in position to strike said door when open, a valve adapted when open to discharge a fire extinguishing element into said washing machine, means for maintaining the valve closed, means comprising a fusible connection between said means and said lever for rendering the valve closing means operative and for preventing pivotal movement of said lever, resilient means connected to said lever for constraining the lever in a door closing direction and applying tension on the fusible connection.

5. In combination with a casing having a door thereon, a device of the class described comprising a pipe communicating with and connected to said casing, a valve at the point of connection for discharging a fire extinguishing element into the casing when the valve is open, a lever for holding said valve closed, an arm pivotally supported in position to close said door when open, means for constraining said arm toward its door closing position and means comprising a fusible link connecting said lever and said arm whereby said valve is maintained closed, said arm is maintained inoperative and the means for constraining the arm toward its door closing position imposes a tension on said fusible link and said lever except upon destruction of said link.

Des Moines, Iowa, January 10, 1925.

HARRY SCI-ILESINGER. 

